"Retreat Yourself"
Kate gave up her career in recruitment to become a personal trainer and set up KBPT in 2010 – it’s now the #1 all-girl personal training team in London. Since moving to North Devon four years ago, the idea of running retreats has been bubbling away... 2020 is the year it’s happening! Say hello to the founder of Sand Sea Spa retreats, Kate Burrows.
I’ve always been super active. As a child, I did martial arts, dancing, ice skating, cycling and swimming. Later, I got into running and going to the gym – I’ve done two marathons, the Three Peaks Challenge and a London to Paris bike ride in recent years. Becoming a personal trainer seemed like a natural step as it means I can pass on my love of fitness and help other people to feel great about themselves.
I’d always wanted to run retreats but it I needed to find the right location. I started teaching a class at Saunton Sands Hotel and spoke to one of the hotel directors about hosting retreats there. It was the perfect opportunity as it’s an amazing place – I know our guests will really enjoy escaping there for a few days.
Having grown up in London and lived there for so long, I love getting outside. We’ve got Exmoor National Park, surf, sea, stunning white sand beaches – all on our doorstep. It’s a playground for outdoor activities! I also love the calm pace of life here.
Having your own space. I’ve been on retreats where I’ve shared rooms with strangers and it’s fine but I think having your own room is vital for full relaxation.
Expert trainers. There’s nothing worse than not having first-class teachers on retreats. I’ve tested all our trainers to ensure they’ll give our guests an incredible experience.
A variety of activities. Retreats mean different things to different people so it’s important to offer a mixture of high intensity exercise and more chilled activities, such as yoga.
Definitely a surf and yoga retreat in India. Each day, you could choose if you wanted to surf, do yoga or take a break and go on cultural tours. I did a bit of everything and had a great time.
It’s simple really. I want to help people switch off and relax. After being in the rat race myself, I know how important it is to take time out and focus on both your physical and mental health. I've found the perfect location, a great hotel with a stunning spa and I’ve got some amazing trainers on board. I'm so excited to share Sand Sea Spa with our guests!
Meet the rest of the Sand Sea Spa team